Window screen



Jan. 8, 1935. H, J. SCHNEIDER 1,987,080

WINDOW SCREEN Filed Ju1y'2'7, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN T012 Jan. 8,1935. J. SCHNEIDER, I 1,987,080,

WINDOW SCREEN Filed July 27, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3/ Z Aw INVENTOEPatented Jan. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE 1,987,080 wmnow scar-21m Henry J. Schneider, New York, N.Y. Application July 2'7, 193:, Serial No. 682,363 10 claims.- (01.156-14) different sizes in order to fit thevarious different sizes ofwindows. with this invention a dealer or manufacturer will only have tostock a comparatively small number of sizes in order to meet demandsmade upon him for a great stood as this description proceeds, that thesaid many different sizes of window at the present time used.

It is an important object of this invention to screens which are providea window screen to fit any of the various sizes of window frames bysimply adding the proper lengths of wire fabric to the frame of thewindow screen constituting my invention.

Another object resides in the provision of simple, reliable and easilyoperable means for tensioning the screen fabric and which will permit ofthe screen being swung outwardly to an open the invention, reference maybe had to the fol-.

lowing description and accompanying drawings wherein: f

Fig. 1 is an exterior elevation illustrating one embodiment of myimproved screen as applied to substantially one-half the vertical.length of the window frame.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, showing themeansfor mounting the screen at its upper end.

Fig. 3 is a' fragmentary interior elevation of v the parts illustratedin Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a detail view of one of the supporting brackets as seen inthe direction indicated by the arrows 4-4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of a complementary bracket member as seen inthe direction indicated by the arrows 55 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, showing one of theadjusting devices at the lower end ofthe screen.

Fig. 7 is a detail elevation of the device shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is adetail elevation of one of the parts of the screen adjusting device asseen in the direction indicated by the arrows 8-8' in Fig. 'l,

and

Fig. 9. is a transverse sectional view through the lower clamp lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows 99 in Fig. '7.

In the drawings, which are fllustrative of one practical embodiment ofthe invention, in Fig. 1

thereof I have shown my new screen as extending for substantiallyone-half of the vertical length of the window frame. It will, however,be underinvention is applicable as well to a full length screenextending over the entire area .of the window frame opening.

Referring in greater detail to the accompanying drawings, the wire meshfabric indicated at 14 is cut from a roll to approximately the requiredlength. The upper and lower edges of the screen fabric are securely heldin clamping devices extending across the entire width of the fabric.Since these clamping devices are of the same construction, the followingdescription of one clamping device will suflice for both.

As seenfi'om reference to Figs. 2 to 9 of the drawings, the screenclamping device consists of two metal bars, 1 and 3 respectively, ofshallow channel shaped form. These bars are arranged in opposedrelation,

tions, and on opposite sides of the screen fabric with theirlongitudinal .fianges projecting in relatively opposite direc- 5 14which is interposed between said bars as'indicated at 2 in Fig. 2 of thedrawings. Each of the clamping bars '1 and 3 has a plurality of prongsor teeth 9, struck therefrom; which are adapted to engage in the mesh ofthe screen fabric 14, and hold the same against shiftingrelative to saidbars while the clamping bolts indicated at 4 are applied. The outerclamping bar 1, has circular openings therein to receive said bolts eachof which is providedv with a reduced rectangular shank section indicatedat 4', to be resash guide ribs on the window frame as shown in' Figs. 2and 6 of the drawings.

Upon the sash guide ribs at suitable points in accordance with thelength of the screen the.

bracket members are secured. Each of these members in the centralportion thereof has a vertically extending slot '1', opening laterallyat its upp r end toward the outer side of the window frame. Acomplementary bracket member 8 is' suitably fixed to each end of the bar3 of the upper clamping device and carries a stud indicated at 8'adapted to be inserted into the upper open end of slot '1' in one of themembers '1, and removably seated in the lower end of said slot.

In order to compensate for 'any inaccurate cutting of the screen fabric14, particularly when it is intended to screen the entire area of theframe opening, I provide the additional relatively short sections ofscreen fabric indicated at 10 having suitable metallic bindingstrips 11,applied to one longitudinal edge thereof, while the other edges of saidscreen sections are securely held between bars 1 and 3 of the respectiveclamping devices so that the said screen sections 10 will thus projectabove and below the respective clamps.

- To the lower end of each sash guide rib on the window frame avertically extending channel shape plate 12 is secured and between theparallel flanges 12a of this plate, the vertically disposed toothedstrip12b is positioned. This-toothed strip forms part of a ratchetdevice-for vertically adjusting or stretching the screen fabric 14,

and may be conveniently formed as an integral part of the channel plate.It is preferably longitudinally bowed or curved as indicated in Fig. 7of the drawings. 7

The other part of each ratchet device consists of a manuallyoperablemember 13a. This member comprises a disk eccentricallypivoted asat 13b in a bracket member or plate 13c suitably fixed to the inner bar3 of the lower screen clamp. This bracket plate is formed with an offsetflange 13d which has a free sliding fit between one of the flanges 12aand the ratchet strip 12b of the channel plate secured to the sash guiderib. The adjusting members are provided with peripheral teeth to coactwith the teeth of the respective ratchet strips 12b. Thus it will beunderstood that by the operation of the members 130 in a clockwisedirection, the lower screen fabric clamp will be forced downwardly andthus tightly stretch the screen fabric to a taut condition. The ratchetstrips 12b are yieldable or resilient, and due to the eccentric mountingof the members 13a will be placed under tension, so that they will exertsufiicient frictional pressure against the members 13a to resist anytendency of said members to casual movement from their adjusted:positions, whereby the tightening strain on the screen fabric would bereleased.

From the above description the manner of operation and the severaladvantages of my invention will be clearly understood. The brackets '7are so located or positioned with respect to the outer edge faces of thesash guide strips that when the studs -8' are seated in the slots 7' ofsaid brackets, and .the flanges 13d are engaged with the flanges 12a,the opposite vertical edges of the screen fabric will be held in veryclose relation to said guide strips. The upper screen section 10 may beslightly bent with respect to the-screenclamptoclosethespacebetweensaidclampand thelower-mdoftheupperwindowsash.Thus the window frame opening will be effectively screened.Whenthescreenismadetoextendthe tact with the top and bottom of thewindow frame.

'lhusitwillbeunderstoodthatthepartsofmy new improved window screen mayreadily be adiustedso as to provide an accurate fit for window frames ofvarious lengths.

-In the event the screen fabric should become broken, it may be readilyremoved. from the clamping devices and new fabric substituted therefor..Also by lifting the lower end of the screen to position the flanges 13dabove the flanges 124:, the screen may be swung outwardly to an openposition without disengaging the studs 8' from the slots '1'. In thewinter the wire fabric may bereplaced by cloth fabric and the deviceused as a ventilator.

When not in use the screen fabric may be tightlyrolled and together withthe clamping devices stored away in a small space. 4

I have herein disclosed a simple and practical embodiment of myimprovements, which enables the various adjustments to be made with easeand facility and also permits the screen to bereadily largelysuggestive. and his therefore to be understood that I reserve theprivilege of incorporatspecific structural features of the-invention ising the essential features of the invention in various other mechanicalforms with resort to such modifications of the illustrative example asmay be fairly considered within the spirit and scope of the invention asclaimed.

Iv claim: I I

1. In combination with a length of screen fabric, clamping devices eachcomprising rigid members detachably secured to the upper and lower edgesrespectively of said fabric, brackets adapted to be fixed to oppositesides of a window frame, means on the upper screen clamping device fordetachable connection with said brackets, vertically extending ratchetstrips adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the window frame atits lower end, and toothed disks rotatably mounted on the lower screenfabric clamping device to coact with the respective ratchet, strips tovertically tension the screen fabric.

2. In combination with a length of screen fabric, clamping devices eachcomprising rigid members detachably secured to the upper and lower edgesrespectively of said fabric, brackets adapted to be fixed to oppositesides of a window frame, means on the upper screen clamping device fordetachable connection with said brackets, vertically extending,laterally yieldable members adapted to be mounted on opposite sides ofthe window frame at'its lower end, and manually adjustable elementscarried by the lower screen fabric clamping device to coact with saidyieldable members to vertically stretch the screen fabric, said membersbeing tensioned to frictionally lock 1 said elements in adjustedposition.

3. In combination with a length of screen fabric,. clamping devices eachcomprising rigid members detachably secured to the upper and lower meanson the upper screen clamping device for detachable connection with saidbrackets, vertically disposed channeled plates adapted to be fixed toopposite sides of the window frame at its lower end, means on the lowerscreen fabric clamping device removably engaged in the channels of saidplates to slidably guide the screen vertically with respect to theframe, and tensioning devices for the screen fabric each comprisingcoacting relatively movable parts on said channeled plates and the lowerscreen clamping device.

4. In combination with alength of screen fabric, clamping devices eachcomprising rigid members detachably secured to the upper and lower edgesrespectively of said fabric, brackets adaptedto be fixed to oppositesides of a window frame, means on the upper screen clamping device fordetachable connection with said brackets, vertically disposed channeledplates adapted to be fixed to opposite sides of the window frame at itslower end, means on the lower screen clamping device to engage in thechannels of said plates to slidably guide the screen vertically withrespect to the frame, a longitudinally bowed, yieldable metal strip inthe channel of each plate having ratchet teeth thereon, and manuallyoperable ratchet disks eccentrically mounted on the lower screen fabricclamping device to coact with the'respective toothed strips tovertically tension .the screen fabric.

5. In combination with a length of screen fabric, clamping devices eachcomprising rigid members detachably secured to the upper and lower edgesrespectively of said fabric, brackets adapted to be fixed to oppositesides of a. window frame, means on the upper screen clamping device fordetachable connection with said brackets, vertically disposed channeledplates adapted to be fixed to opposite sides of the window frame at itslower end, and tensioning devices for the screen fabric each comprisinga ratchet strip in the channel of apart relation, means for removablymounting the screen upon a window frame with said clamping devices andthe screen fabric sections extend-'- ing upon the outer sides of thesash guide ribs of ric, a rigid member secured to one end edge thereof,means for removably mounting the screen at its other end upon a windowframe, manually operable elements rotatably mounted on' one side of saidrigid member at its opposite ends, and means adapted to be attached toopposite sides of the window frame, with which the respective elementscoast to vertically tension the screen fabric.

8. In combination with pairs of upper and lower supporting and guidingbrackets adapted to be fixed to opposite sides of a window frame, aremovable panel for said frame having a body of flexible material, meanscarried by said panel detachably engageable with said brackets, andmanually operable elements on the panel releasably and adjustablycoacting with means on the brackets at one end of'the panel to tensionsaid flexible panel body. I

9. In combination with upper and lower pairs of supporting and guidingbrackets adapted to be fixed to opposite sides of a window frame, aremovable panel for said frame having a body of flexible material, meanson the panel pivotally and detachably supported in one pair of brackets,means on the panel slidably engaging the other pair of brackets, andmanually operable elements mounted on the panel, releasably andadjustably coacting with means on the latter pair of brackets to tensionsaid flexible panel body.

10. In combination with two panel sections, one of said sectionscomprising a length of flexible material, a clamping device detachablyconnecting the other panel section to one end of said flexible panelsection in the plane thereof; means adjacent one end of said flexiblepanel section for removably supporting said panel sections upon a windowframe with the opposite edges of said sections extending upon one sideof the sash guide ribs of the frame, and relatively adjustable coactingparts on the frame and the other end of said flexible panel section tovertically tension the latter.

HENRY J. SCHNEIDER.

